What to do if your watch becomes magnetised?

　　If a newly purchased watch has accidentally become magnetised, what should we do? Below, I will share methods for handling a magnetised watch; happy reading.

　　How to Determine if a Watch is Magnetised

　　If a watch that was previously running well suddenly develops a large timekeeping error, the first suspicion should be whether it has become magnetised. The method to determine if a watch is magnetised is to use a sensitive compass, place the compass flat on a table, and then quickly and repeatedly pass the watch close over the top of the compass. This action needs to be repeated across several different orientations of the watch; as long as the compass needle moves, it indicates that the watch has become magnetised.

　　Methods for Treating a Magnetised Watch

　　Treating a watch after it has been magnetised is very simple. Take it to a service centre or a watchmaker, and without opening the case, demagnetise it directly using a demagnetiser. 2 seconds will restore the watch's timekeeping to normal. If you wish to demagnetise it yourself at home, I will explain the method here.

　　1, find an unmagnetised iron ring, place the watch inside the ring, and pass it back and forth slowly. After a few minutes, the watch will be demagnetised and restored.

　　2, the effective surface area of an induction cooker panel is generally circular, with the coil located underneath. If a sufficiently large steel object is not placed on it, it will usually trigger an automatic protection feature and fail to start. It is best to find a steel cup (indicated by the red circle) filled with water, or another steel container, making sure not to cover the center of the induction cooker while being sufficient to make the induction cooker start. Then, turn on the induction cooker, preferably at maximum power, and move the watch or tool to be demagnetised from far away on the left side of the hob, keeping it close to the surface, passing through the center point of the induction cooker, and out to the far right side. Repeat this process several times, ensuring you enter from a single direction, which can provide an excellent demagnetising effect.

　　Watch Maintenance Knowledge

　　(1) When wearing a watch, perspiration on your hand can corrode the case. All-steel cases have better corrosion resistance due to their nickel-chromium alloy composition, whereas base-metal cases are copper and corrode easily when exposed to sweat for long periods. You should regularly wipe off sweat with a soft cloth or use a plastic watch protector pad to prevent sweat corrosion.

　　(2) Do not open the case back casually, to prevent dust from entering the movement and affecting the normal operation of the watch.

　　(3) Do not place the watch in a wardrobe containing mothballs, to prevent the watch oil from deteriorating.

　　(4) Do not place the watch on radios or televisions, to avoid magnetisation.

　　(5) For watches stored long-term without being worn, wind them regularly once a month to prevent the components from remaining stationary for extended periods, thereby ensuring the movement's running performance.